2019/12/01 — Brigada Today

2019/12/01 — Brigada Today

Compiled/Edited by Doug Lucas and Tina McCormick, Team Expansion
Brigada online has more graphics and links at www.brigada.org

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In this issue…
1) Brigada 2020 Budget is Just $4540 Away From Completion
2) Do You Have a Love for Media and Missions?
3) Don’t Miss This Cyber-Monday Special from YWAM Publishing
4) Anyone Have Experience with Global Vision 2020? (New Eyeglass Deal)
5) Got a Device That You Routinely Charge in Airports or Other Spots?
6) Make Alexa Play Christian Music Wherever You Are!
7) TESOL Training in Thailand and the Philippines.
8) The Languages in Oaxaca are Languages – not Dialects
9) Rest and Restore at Shekinah Ranch in Rocky-ountain-high Colorado
10) Here’s Another Site Offering Guidance for Doing DBSes
11) Free Online Bible Study for Women from Lifeway
12) Is Christianity in the USA Really Declining This Rapidly?
13) We’re Grateful for…
14) The Last Bit: What Does “Panta Ta Ethne” Mean to You? (An Opinion)
15) Closing Stuff

1) Brigada 2020 Budget is Just $4540 Away From Completion

1) Brigada 2020 Budget is Just $4540 Away From Completion

Not that long ago, Patrick Johnstone, pioneering author of Operation World, described Brigada as, “A must read for busy Christian workers with a heart for missions.” Today, we’re writing you to ask , would you pray about empowering Brigada again, just as you have in the past, between now and Christmas? Enable us to encourage the struggling missionary recruit still hoping to get to the field to share the Good News. Knock down the barriers so that we can provide tons of resources in a timely fashion to help worldwide workers carry out the Great Commission more effectively and efficiently for the Cause of Christ. Open up channels for us to communicate trends that will unlock doors for workers everywhere. Any gift — any amount — will help. Perhaps there are some among us who could write a check for $2000. (In previous years, a church in Dubai has done so for Brigada. Would you or your church be willing to come alongside them to do the same?

 

This is definitely the best and earliest we’ve ever been this close. Our budget has remained unchanged for as long as we can remember: $17,000 — which takes care of all server costs, emailing service costs (to email Brigada out to 6,000+ people each week), malware and spam prevention for those visiting Brigada’s secure (https) website, along with the costs of a part-time assistant. Anything above $17,000 would go directly to training workers for serving among unreached peoples. (In other words, we only need $17,000 for this service and we refuse to accept any more than that.)

 

Last week, our total stood at $11,136. This week, a bunch of amazing people pitched in $1,323. (God bless you!!!) This leaves us only $4,540 short of the overall need.

 

God might call one church or one person to chip in the entire amount — or 45 people could chip in $100 — or any mixture in between. Would you consider helping out!

 

2) Do You Have a Love for Media and Missions?

Create International and the Visual Story Network are thrilled to host the 2020 Visual Media Strategy Forum Mar. 28th-29th in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They believe that these few days of focused collaboration will result in continued partnerships for bringing the knowledge of the glory of God to many who still have not heard. Register now for your place at this milestone moment at:

 

www.global2020vision.com/vmsf

 

3) Don’t Miss This Cyber-Monday Special from YWAM Publishing

3) Don’t Miss This Cyber-Monday Special from YWAM Publishing

And you thought Cyber Monday was all about gimics. Instead, pick up Great Heroes of Faith and Character, which includes two five-book sets. One set of five chronicle of the lives of Lillian Trasher, George Muller, Clarence Jones, Florence Young and C.S. Lewis. The other shares five “heroes of history:” Jim Elliot, Lottie Moon, Brother Andrew, Clara Barton, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. $117  worth of books for $47. You can’t lose. For more information, visit…

 

www.ywampublishing.com/p-1675-cyber-monday-2019brgreat-heroes-of-faith-and-character.aspx

 

4) Anyone Have Experience with Global Vision 2020? (New Eyeglass Deal)

We’ve previously shared about orgs who foster donation of *used* eyeglasses. (In fact, several people were against it because of implications of dependency.) But THIS company is different. They have devised a system whereby locals can become eyeglass vendors using a simple approach that actually creates jobs and $3 eyeglass sets. Anyone have any experience with them?

 

gv2020.org/

 

Looks really cool and interesting. One advocate wrote, “They are working with multiplication movements for pastors to be bivocational and set up vision care shops to support their ministry and use vision care as a bridge building tool. People can be trained in a few hours and they are ready to roll at a reasonable start up cost. The glasses are about $3 a pair.” Sounds awesome. And now, by relying on the strength of the greater Brigada family, we can ask for broad feedback on new ideas like this and learn the latest and the best. (Thanks for the recommendation, Earl!)

 

5) Got a Device That You Routinely Charge in Airports or Other Spots?

5) Got a Device That You Routinely Charge in Airports or Other Spots?

Consider — when you plug that device into a port in a rental car or airport, what if someone on the other end uses software to harvest every name, email, and cell number in your contact list. Because they’re physically connected, it’s possible that your device doesn’t even have to ask if you’d like to share contacts. What can you do? Use a force field, of sorts, to protect your device. Here’s one idea from SyncStop. It prevents accidental (or intentional) data exchange any time your device is plugged into someone else’s computer or a public charging station.

 

syncstop.com/

 

Why haven’t we thought of these before? : ) It works with any mobile device — iOS, Android, Apple or PC — by blocking just the data (communication) pins, but not the power. By doing so, it not only defends your device from data theft but also protects it from malware! (Unfortunately, as this Brigada goes to press, Syncstop happens to be out of stock.) However, a similar product from USB Defender is available immediately, if you need one now:

 

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Defender-Transfers-Smartphone-Guaranteed/dp/B01MXRQ4TZ

 

(Thanks Daniel!)

 

7) TESOL Training in Thailand and the Philippines.

Asia’s Center for TESO and ASEAN Center for TESOL have a new website

 

www.actesol.com

 

As you probably already know, English is the #1 platform for ministry all over the world. Don’t do a half baked job if you are teaching English. Let your work be exemplary for Christ. Asean Center for TESOL offers an intensive, five-week certificate course in Chiang Mai, Thailand, including 10 hours of practice teaching to non-native speakers! You can pick up an application form or more information by writing…

infothaiatactesoldotcom  (infothaiatactesoldotcom)  

 

8) The Languages in Oaxaca are Languages – not Dialects

We respected the views of a Brigada participant who saw our item…

 

brigada.org/2019/11/17_27264

 

entitled, “3) Spanish School for Missionaries and Cross Cultural Christians.” We’ll leave their identities somewhat anonymous, but they shared, in response, “Thank you for all your work in making all this information available! You do an amazing job! [blush; so nice] Just one small comment (correction?) to item #3, where you say “16 major language groups, with 155 dialects.” Please help us make the world, at least the “world” that reads Brigada!, understand that the languages spoken in Oaxaca are NOT dialects but languages in their own right. Unless you consider Italian, Portuguese, Spanish all dialects of Latin. [smile] The 16 (or however many you count) major language groups are like saying “the Romance languages, the Germanic languages” etc. Within those major language groups or families, are LANGUAGES that are related to each other but mutually unintelligible. [A person who] speaks Quiatoni Zapotec, one of the 40+ Zapotec languages, can not easily or in any depth communicate with speakers of different Zapotecs. … You can think of it like this: Zapotec is the “last name” (giving the language group/family) and Quiatoni is the first name, usually from the town or area where the language is spoken. So all Zapotec languages have a “family resemblance” because they are related but each is an individual, just like in human families. Thanks for your understandiing and help in getting the Word out!” And thank you for your thoughtful response (correction)! You are 100% correct!

 

9) Rest and Restore at Shekinah Ranch in Rocky-ountain-high Colorado

Shekinah Ranch is a place for rest, restoration, and fellowship with God in the beauty and quietness of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The first cabin is ready and available for couples or individuals in full-time Christian ministry to come “away from the battle, alone with the Lord.” The cabin is fully equipped and winterized. The rate is very reasonable. To learn more or to make a reservation, please visit

 

www.shekinahranch.org

 

12) Is Christianity in the USA Really Declining This Rapidly?

We’re never sure what to think when we read the latest study. It seems like we can almost always find SOMEONE who can show this trend or that trend (sometimes in direct opposition to one another). But this study…

 

www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace

 

seems so serious. If it’s true — that the Pew Research Group has determined that there was a 12% decline those claiming to be Christians in the past 10 years, and that church attendance is down by over 7% in 10 years, and that those who say they have “no religion” has grown to 30 million in ten years — what do these trends mean? Is Christianity really declining at such a rapid pace in the USA? What are your thoughts?

 

13) We’re Grateful for…

…a $10 from a friend who sent a card which said, “Thanks for what you do to advance the Kingdom!”

…a $200 gift from a church in Tulsa OK to Brigada. Their missions pastor wrote, “Thanks for all you do and for keeping us updated on things for the Kingdom. Until all hear.” God bless you Jim!

…a $20 gift from a devoted staffer at Finishing the Task, who wants to help Brigada get the word out about unreached and unengaged people everywhere! God bless you!

…$100 from a “true fan” of Brigada who has been an advocate for the unreached since the 1990s. God bless you, brother!

…$80 from an anonymous friend of Brigada in Taiwan. God bless you!

…a $103 gift from an ultra-true fan of Brigada. We’re sooo grateful!

…a $100 gift from another True Fan of Brigada. We are in awe at your partnership. Your love for the Scriptures in Use team and the entire Orality Movement will not be forgotten!

…a $50 gift from friends at Create Mobile (createmobile.org) and the Frontier Filmmaking Seminar. You guys are awesome.

…a $100 gift from a True Fan of Brigada from Orlando, Florida! God bless you!

…a $200 encouragement from amazing friends in Bosnia who took Perspectives then completely dedicated themselves to unreached peoples and, today, are coaching more than 3 dozen workers in the Balkans. Amazing people. God bless you!

…a $130 donation from a True Fan who wished to remain anonymous. Amazing people.

…$100 from a True Fan of Brigada at cten. We appreciate you!

…$30 from our great friends at the Missionary Training Service over in UK! God bless you!

…and $100 from a business man who starts companies in China so that their workers can shine forth the love of Christ for all people, regardless of their background. Amazing people.

 

Want to join these partners in helping Brigada through the last month of 2019 — and to get a great start on 2020? If so, just click “Donate” at www.brigada.org, or mail a check payable to Team Expansion (Brigada), 13711 Willow Reed Drive, Louisville, KY 40299. Team Expansion is a 501(c)3 incorporation so, for USA citizens, your gift to Christ by writing a check to Team Expansion is tax-deductible. Thank you, in advance, for your partnership!

 

14) The Last Bit: What Does "Panta Ta Ethne" Mean to You? (An Opinion)

14) The Last Bit: What Does "Panta Ta Ethne" Mean to You? (An Opinion)

When you read Matthew 28:19-20 (typically known as “the Great Commission” — but, according to Barna, not as often as we would like), what does “panta ta ethne” mean to you? Throughout all recent generations (for example, to William Carey’s), certain pioneers and apostolic figures have reminded us of the importance and priority of reaching the unreached. (For example, see Jesus in Luke 15:3-7.) Recently (at least once every decade), someone calls into question how serious Jesus really was when he told the parable of the lost sheep. For example, see…

 

www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/misleading-words-missions-strategy-unreached-people-groups/

 

Recently, our good friend, David P. Jacob, took up the baton to write a response to the gospel coalition piece. Who is David Jacob? Since 2008, he has been an Assemblies of God missionary to a sensitive country in Northern Asia. He currently serves as the missionary in residence and chair of the intercultural studies department at Trinity Bible College and Graduate School in Ellendale, ND. He is also the director of The Center for Missionary Mobilization and Retention, a resource center that provides tools and trainings for pastors, missionaries, and missions mobilizers who want to send and sustain the next generation of missionaries. David has a Master of Arts degree in Missional Leadership and is currently a PhD candidate in intercultural studies. We’re grateful for his thoughtful response. Read it in its entirety here:

 

brigada.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Ethne_meaning_People_groups_vs_all_Gentiles.pdf

 

Thanks David! Awesome.

 

Do you agree or disagree with David’s piece? Please share your take following the web version of this item. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

15) Closing Stuff

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